Radical Obedience = Letting go of Fear

Why do I  have fear of the unknown, I love and believe in God and trust in him yet I still have fear.

This week I realized while reading Chapter 3 in "What Happens Women Women say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst,  that God is wanting me to be Radically Obedient and give up my fears to him. Now I am totally having a "Say What" moment with God as I am hearing this.  

"Really Lord? You know this is hard for me."

I know God hears my heart, my every thought,and knows the pain in my heart as well.  He knows my every fear and wants to lift them from me and he wants me to rely on him!

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ~1 John 4:18

So why have I not allowed the “Perfect love” to drive out the fear in my heart? Why have I not be obedient and let them go to the Lord? 

Here are my fears I have right now:

• Losing my Job tomorrow 
• Not being a Wife or Mommy someday
• Losing the Man I love so much
• Never being pretty enough
• Losing my Mom again
• Being all Alone 

Writing them down they seem so little but yet there are so big in my heart right now and taking control of my thoughts. I know my God is bigger and his love will help me to over come these fears I just have to allow him to do so and this is so hard.  Is it because I am afraid of the unknown or not being in control of my life? I am not 100% sure but I do know I am going to obey the Lord. 

I am going to challenge myself each day to turn over my fears to God. I am going to :"Say Yes to God" and be Obedient.  Each time I feel these fears start to creep in on my thoughts I am going to stop what I am doing, lift my "Palms Up" to the Lord and  pray. I am going to repeat to my self:

There is no fear in love. God is Love!

Picture found on Pinterest

The Power of "Yes to God"

What is God asking me to say "Yes" to????.......... 

While digging into my new devotional today, What happens when Women say Yes to God  Devotional, by Lysa TerKeurst, this sentence leaped off the page at me:

"Do you really think God could use someone like you?" (pg5) 

Just like Lysa, this same question has crept  into my mind several times. In fact, over a  year ago (maybe longer) after joining Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Study  groups on Facebook, I received an email asking me if I would be interested in being a group leader for the studies. The first thing that came to my mind was, "me? really? why would God want someone like me?" Then, I did the whole, I can't lead other women in a bible study. "I am not good enough." I decided to pray about it. I prayed and prayed. I spoke to loved ones and friends about it and then I heard, "just say Yes Lauren."  That day I sent the email saying YES to being a OBS Small Group Facebook Leader.  This was just one of my many Yes God to come.

Of course, during this time frame of being a small group leader, I had the nasty doubts of how is God possible using me. How am I really reaching other women? I was still doubting my Yes to God. I just kept doing what God was telling me to do, I kept saying Yes, and moving on with each study. I prayed that what I was typing in the group each morning was reaching their hearts. I prayed that my prayers for each Lady was being heard. I prayed for each Lady in my group and each Leader involved in OBS. Still with the thought in my mind, "why Me Lord?" "There is surely someone way better than me for this." My go to verse during these times was:

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.~ Hebrews 10:24

This verse reminded me that if I continue pouring into my group and the Ladies, God's word, love and works will be stirred up in them as well as me, and it worked. Never in a million years did I think that I was reaching these beautiful ladies in my group with God's word until I came home from work this April and got the envelope from Proverbs 31 in my mailbox. The picture below is what was inside. I cried and praised God and saw some of the power in my saying Yes to God. 

What an Honor to know that in my saying Yes to God, I had impacted someones life. And for the record, when God called her to say Yes to being a Group Leader for OBS, she too said yes to God.

Again, this past month God laid another request on my heart to say Yes to regarding OBS. I was asked to be a Team Leader. Now this was a very difficult Yes for me to answer as I would have to step away from being a group leader. I love the Ladies that were in my group, but I knew God was calling me to do more and to say Yes. Once again, I said Yes to God and we shall see where this part of the journey will lead me to next. I am beyond excited. I love seeing the power in my life and others when I have said "Yes" to God.

So what is it that God is asking you to say "YES" to?

It's not to late to join me and over 22,000 other women who are saying Yes to God right now. You can sign up for the next upcoming bible study at http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/. It starts this Sunday, August 4th, and the study is: What Happens When Women say Yes to God, by Lysa TerKeusrt. 

Do Not Fear ~ Trust

(picture by Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Trails, difficulties, struggles, stress...........we all have them and some us of us might be dealing with one of these (or more) right at this very moment!

when I am  passing through these times I often look to myself to make things better rather than looking to God - then I start the whole pattern of "Lord, where are you? Why are you not helping me? Why are you not answering my prayers?"  Sound familiar?

The problem is I am not trusting in God, and he is there, he is always there.  He is just waiting for me to invite him in and for me to rely on him.  See Isaiah 43:1-3a reminds us that God is with us, he protects us, he restores us, he is with us during difficulties and his love for us never stops - it is unconditional and he is a merciful God! This verse is also a huge reminder to Trust in the Lord.

I have been going through some tough struggles and difficulties lately and much added stress, I feel broken down and like Satan has a Big Red Bulls-eye on my back and the attacks keep coming left and right.  I have been emotionally tired and often find myself wondering "When is this all going to end, how am I going to solve these things and make it all end?" But see right there is my problem I am rely on me NOT God, and all the while God is whispering in my ear, 

"Do Not Fear Lauren, I am with you. Trust in me, come to me, take my hand and allow me to guide and protect you ~ I will get you through this difficulties."

His love for me is unconditional that he doesn't give up on me, he continues to whisper to me and is waiting for me to rely on him.

Instead of trying to do all this on my own, I need to grab a hold of God's hand, hold tight and cling to it. I need to allow him to have the control over my life and guide me. I realize I can not make it through the crashing waves of stress, difficulties and trying times on my own---------I NEED GOD!!!!

I need to Trust  in him and allow him to Rule my Heart as well. As Tracie Miles says on page 195 in Stressed-Less Living, "if God is ruling over our Hearts, victory is possible."  I don't know about you but I want victory. I am fixing my eyes on Jesus and reaching my hand out right now------Do you want to join me?

But I trust in you, Lord;

    I say, “You are my God.”

15 

My times are in your hands;

    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

    from those who pursue me.

Psalm 31:14-15

(found on Pinterest)

Change

a pic from my Bible of Romans 12:2

When I first read Romans 12:2 this was my thought "All things work for the beauty of God in our lives and I am ready for the change ~ today will be a beautiful day of change!"

Romans 12:2 was our Reflection Verse in Week 4 of Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles. This one really hit me and I decided to break it down in my view and share this week.

Do Not Conform to the patterns of this world, be be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.  

~ Romans  12:2

Conform/transformed/renewing = Change 

Conform ~ do not commit to the ways of this world

Transformed ~ allow God to do the changes in my life that are needed! Follow Jesus ,live for him.

Renewing ~ Allow his Words to move in me, to refresh my mind with his knowledge!

Gods Will & Perfect Will  ~ His will not mine, allow him control, do not try to take it from him, allow him to move in my life.  (That is a breakdown of my verse mapping of this verse and how each word struck me!)

The Bible Dictionary breaks down the words and list additional bible verse to look at. The Verses I list with each word are the ones that struck me the most and you too should go look up and see what you think!

Conform~ to make similar or the same: to give one thing the characteristics of something else: Romans 8:29 & Ephesians 1:11

Transformed ~ to change in appearance or character: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Renew ~ to restore; to make new spiritually: Psalm 51:10 & 2 Corinthians 4:16

Researching and digging deeper into God's Word gives me the bigger picture and a better understanding of what it is that he is wanting of me. 

Romans 12:2 reminds me that I am not of this world and it's ways, that I am a visitor passing through till I get to the Heavenly place in which I (we) call Home! It also reminds me of Colossians 2:8, which always reminds us not to conform to the ways of the world that try to lead me away from Christ but to stay strong in the renewing of my mind in his word daily!

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on the human tradition and the basic principals of this world rather than Christ. ~Colossians 2:8

Remember we are just passing through!

found on Pinterest

My Blessing ~ Group 25

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9

While reading "Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles" my eyes have been opened to the stress that I have been avoiding dealing with. I am under a ton of stress at my job, stress that has been affecting my health for quiet some time now. Not only my health but my heart too - Spiritual!

This stress has caused me to want to crawl under the sheets some mornings and not get up. It has caused negative feelings, sadness, and stomach turning feelings of sickness every morning driving to work ~ Ouch! 

Well I realized this past couple weeks that I have this incredible blessing in my life that has been helping to rid some of that negative energy caused from this stress. This blessing is my Beautiful Amazing Group 25!

Being the Group Leader for this group has given me a much bigger purpose in my life ~ a true God driven purpose. I look forward to starting each day and leaving these women a message each morning. During the day I feel joy of checking on my group and seeing their post or responses to the assignments in the study or if they liked a post. This group of women have brought me so much joy and they have no clue about it (well until now). 

On pg.63 in "Stressed-Less Living" Tracie says "He (God) came bringing spiritual healing that not only saves the soul but saturates it with peace and minimizes the stress in our hearts." oh yes yes he does and he has done this with me through the OBS and Group 25! this group is the blessing from God that has saved my soul. Leading these ladies in this study and past studies has brought me spiritual healing and strengthened my walk with God. These women have Beautiful God loving souls and I thank God for bring each on of them into my life.

Thank you Jesus for OBS & Group 25!!!

Ladies in Group 25~

I love each one of you, My Sisters in Christ. You are Beautiful, Inspiring, Strong Women. I thank God for leading us to each other and this study. I love being on this journey with you to finding God's Peace in our Chaotic Worlds. I am Honored and Blessed to be your Group Leader. Keep being the Awesome Ladies you are and I am proud of each one of you! Love & Blessings ~ Lauren

Surrender ~ Choices

So today I was lead to write this blog by something I read of Facebook.  This was written by someone I know and think is a beautiful soul. As I read and re-read what she wrote, I was seeing her point and I agree with the way I am viewing her post. It read:

"One cannot surrender to God thinking that doing nothing for the self will solve everything! Humans need to be present in their own lives and be held accountable for themselves!"



We can not jut say forget it and not be accountable for our OWN actions in life. Yes we most certainly have to be present in our lives and accountable in our lives. Doing nothing is not going to get us anywhere! Surrendering to God does not mean we get to sit back and wait for Him to work amazing miracles in our lives or waiting for someone else to live our life for us. God did not give us this life to have others live it for us or let alone to blame others for our actions or choices.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Deuteronomy 30:19

It means making choices and learning from them. We might not always make the right choices but we pick our selves up and move forward. We were given this life to live it and learn from our own actions and yes that means taking responsibility for the outcome of our life! I am the one who makes the choices in my life and I have to live with the outcome.

The one who gets wisdom loves life;
    the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Proverbs 19:8

Surrendering to God means looking to him for wisdom and strength in making the choices in life, allowing him to direct my path. Looking to him for knowledge, listening and waiting on him for  understanding before leaping in a direction that might not be good.

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.

Psalm 25:4

So Surrendering to the Lord to me is ~ Living a life of good, truth, honor and love (yes that even means loving the unloveable or my enemies). Being thankful for the life I have because after all where  I am in life is because of the choices I made. Now I give credit to God for many things in my life. I feel he has blessed me beyond measures. I do look to the Lord in Prayer and His word  for direction in my life before I just leap into a decision , after all he is my ABBA!

Thank you Kellie for inspiring me today and reminding me that even though I have surrendered my Life to God, I am still responsible for the outcome of my life! I love your heart and you truly are a Beautiful Soul!

Picture found on Pinterest.

Letting Go and Leaning on God

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

Psalm 91:2 AMP

Stop a minute here, read that Bible verse and let it really sink into your heart. Read it over and over till is has touched your heart and soul. What a power verse, that speaks so loud and clear to us all. 

I am going to break this verse down the way I see it, the way God is speaking to me about it.

This is how the breakdown is going to look:

The Dictionary Definition of each word ~My Definition of each word

Refuge: shelter or protection from danger, trouble ~ The Lord will shelter me and protect me all the days of my life

Fortress: any place of exceptional security; stronghold. ~ The Lord is my security with him I am safe!

GOD: the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe. ~ Amazing, Wonderful, Powerful, Graceful and LOVING!!

Lean: to rest against or on something for support ~ I will rest in him, he is my rest.

Rely: to depend confidently; put trust in ~ he will never leave me and he will always be truthful and speak the truth to me.

Trust: a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust. (love how the dictionary even references God) ~ I will put all my confidence in the Lord.

What I hear in my heart when I read this verse is, God wants me to Surrender it all to him. He wants to be my protection, my safety and he wants me to lean on him. But how can I surrender to God if I am not trusting in him? I mean really trusting in him with ALL of me. You see God wants all 100% of me, not part of me, not the half that is trusting in him during Church, bible study or quiet time. He wants all of me, every breath I breath, every single second of my life he wants to be with me!

When I read this verse I am reminded that God is in control of my life and I need to Let it go and allow him to have his control back. I need to stop trying to play his part in my life. I need to allow him to direct me and not worry or be fearful of what could happen tomorrow, I need to dwell in his promises of my life. 

I am reminded again in Scripture that he wants me to run to him,  trust in him and rest in him.

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely

Psalm 59:17

Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him

Nahum 1:7

See he reminds us all over, again and again that he wants to be there for Me, for you and for all of us that will come to him!

Dear Heavenly Father~

I give it all to you. I am on my  knees asking for forgiveness and surrendering it all to you Lord. Take back the control over my life and direct my paths! I know you are my safe place, my protection and I run to you. Fill me with your Grace and love, hold my hand and guide me. Lord I trust in you, I put my confidence in you and not the ways of this world. I am fixing my eyes on you and letting it go. I want to dwell and rest in you God. Thank you for loving me so unconditionally, even when I ignored you. I love you! In Jesus Name ~ Amen

Picture was found on Pinterest.